Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 21,748, Jonathan Farnsworth, Mass

SERVICE
NUMBER
Mass
Farnsworth, Jonathan
S 21 748
CONTENTS

Vermont
Jonathan Farnsworth
of Franklin, in the State of Vermont who was a Private in the company by Captain Brown of the Regt. commanded by Col. Jackson in the Mass. Troops line for 2 years, Private $80.00
Inscribed on the Roll of Vermont at the rate of 8.0 Dollars ————— Cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831.
Certificate of Pension issued the 17 th day of June 1833 and sent to Claimant St. Albans Vt.
Arrears to the 4th of March 1833 160.00 Sem-ant. allowance ending to Sep. 1833 40.00 $200.00
{ Revolutionary Claim Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by D. Brown Clerk Book E. Vol. 3 Page 54
Letter to Mr. Bridges and 3 rd under 7 Jan'y 1840 Paid at the Treasury under the Act of the 6 th April 1838 from 1 st Sept 1838 to 4 th March 1839 age notified 23 Jan'y 1840

1850 John Farnsworth's Declaration

DECLARATION.
Revolutionary claim, under an Act of Congress, Passed June 7th, A. D. 1832.
STATE OF VERMONT, } Franklin County Probate Court, October 18 th A. D. 1832. DISTRICT OF GEORGIA, ss. }
Personally appeared in open Court, being the Probate Court for the County of Franklin, and a Court of Record for said County, and State of Vermont, as will appear by the first section of a Statute Law of said State, entitled "An act, constituting Probate Courts Courts of Record,"—passed November 15th, A. D. 1821, [see 1st. section of said act,] Jonathan Sarnsworth aged 74 years, resident in Bakersfield in said County, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th, A. D. 1832. That he has, previously on the pension roll under the act of March 18 th 1818, and struck from the same on account of his property.
The applicant further states that he enlisted for three years, in the month of April 1776 under Capt Benjamin Brown, Lieut Silas Pierce, 2 nd Lieut Obediah Kitterell's company, Col M. Jackson, Lieut Col John Brooks, Maj Hull; thinks it was the 7 th Massachusetts Regt, General Searched, Brigade, march d from Harvard county of Worcester State of Ms. to Cambridge, from thence through Springfield, Albany N.Y. to Schenectady,
there sick; his Regt continued their march to Fort Stanwix, afterwards joined his Regt at the German Flatts, from thence to Saratoga, there stationed till the 7 th day of Oct r 77 when he received a wound in his right thigh by a Musket Ball, soon after removed to Albany there in the Hospital, from thence back to Schenectady, there in the Hospital till June 78 then back to Albany, there a short time received a Furlough and returned home; there till March 78, Joined his Regt at Valley Forge there stationed till June, or till the British left Philadelphia, then left and pursued after them, was in the battle at Monmouth, moved on with the Regt to Fishkill and

them, was in the battle at manmouth, moved on with the Regt to Fishkill and from thence to Poughkeepsie, stationed there through the winter, spring following, to West Point, and there stationed till April 1880, when he had completed three years and was discharged by Col Jackson which discharge he has since lost.
He hereby relinquishes every claim to a pension or annuity, except the the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state, except, that of the agency of the state of Vermont.
He now resides in Bakersfield, Vt and was a resident of the same place when he made his first application for a Pension under the act of 1818.
The applicant informs me that in the month of June last he forwarded
his original pension certificate by his agent Silas B. Hazeltine from Bakersfield, since which time he has not heard from the war office the applicant further states that his agent has since wrote to the Hon. Secretary of war but has recd no answer.
The applicant Mr Farnsworth says his Pension certificate is no 11.485, and now in the pension office as he believes.
Sworn & subscribed the day & year of, John Farnsworth

And the Court do hereby declare their opinion, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
William Bridges Judge
I, John Gates, jr. Register of the Court of Probate for the district aforesaid, do hereby certify, that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matters of the application of Jonathan Hornswirth for a pension.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office this A. D. 1832.
19th day of October
John Gates Jr Register.

16.507 John Farnsworth District of Georgia Vermont
Rolls 3 years
August 11. 465.
old papers wanted
Admitted from the Rolls. 24 mo Private $80:00
claimant St. Albans
Vt
E

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjóined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Jonathan Farnsworth
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     April 7/6 3 Privt Capt Brim Col o Jackson W. m th From New York to New Jersey 74 years The opinion of the Court  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.
x On the pension roll under the act of 1818 I struck him the same in act of his property —

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this _____ day of _____ personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of _____ in the county of _____ and State, Territory or District of _____ aged (c) _____ years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) _____, with _____ and served in the _____ (e) regiment of the _____ line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of _____
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I _____ of the Court of _____ do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this _____ day of _____ &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the _____ and C. D. residing in (the same) _____ hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with _____, who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be _____ years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B. who has signed the preceding certificate is a clergyman, resident in the _____
and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the _____ and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, _____ Clerk of the Court of _____ do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of _____ for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this _____ day of _____ &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (a) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. } Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. } Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine the exact amount of pension he is entitled to. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grades of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months, is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the units, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; and that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or impression by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the name of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [j] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in all cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

O. W. & N. Div.
I 21743
L W. B.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
Apr. 11, 1896.
Sir:
Replying to your request for information concerning the military record of Jonathan Sarnsorth, a soldier of the Revolutionary War you are advised that he made application for pension October 13, 1862, at which time he was residing in Bakersfield, Franklin Co., Vt., and 74 years of age, and his pension was allowed for two years' actual service as a private in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary War; a part of the time he served under Capt. Benjamin Brown and Col. M. Jackson. He enlisted at Harvard, Mass.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr Frank F. Holmes,
196 La Salle Street,
Chicago, Ills.

Stor B
Revolution
21748 INVALID.
Aug 11 '96 recd pound 4 Frank F Holmes Chicago Ills
File No. 21,748
Jonathan Throssworth Rev Rev War
Act: June 7 th 82.
Index:—Vol. 9 , Page 187
[Arrangement of 1870.]

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
Second Comptroller's Office,
January 9 th , 1839.
Sir:
Under the act of the 6th of April, 1838, entitled "An act directing the transfer of money remaining unclaimed by certain Pensioners, and authorizing the payment of the same at the Treasury of the United States," Jonathan Farnsworth, — a Pensioner on the Roll of the Vermont Agency, at the rate of Eighty Dollars and _____ Cents per annum, under the law of the 7 th June 1832, has been paid at this Department, from the 4 th of Sept. 1838, to the 4 th March, 1839.
Respectfully, yours,
Widow S. Farnsworth Comptroller.
To the Commissioner of Pensions,
Present.

FRANK F. HOLMES & CO., FIRE INSURANCE AGENTS, 196 LA SALLE STREET, CHICAGO. TELEPHONE, MAIN 1470.
7
CHICAGO, Aug 3 d 1896
Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D.C.
P
Dear Sir:
Jonathan Farnsworth, Rev. War.
Will you kindly furnish me with such records as your department affords of Jonathan Farnsworth who was a pensioner of the Rev. War.
He lived after 1794 at Bakersfield Vt. where he died about 1840 . I am not positive as to his place of enlistment, his term of service or his war record.
He was my ancestor and the information you give me may complete my application for the Sons of the Rev. also Sons of the Colonial Wars. There were several men of his name in the Rev. but your records will no doubt show enough to carry my genealogy back to 1631 in this country. Thanking you in advance.
Yours very truly Frank F. Holmes